Liberal Democrat Wales Office minister Jenny Randerson has signalled that the sweeping recommendations of the Silk Commission will not be kicked into the long grass.

Liberal Democrat Wales Office minister Jenny Randerson has signalled that the sweeping recommendations of the Silk Commission will not be kicked into the long grass.

The former Cardiff Central AM who is now a member of the House of Lords told peers that the UK Government wants to “set in train” issues resulting from the report before the second set of recommendations – due in 2014 – are published.

She said: “I am very hopeful that the report will be looked at in detail with all due speed, in a timely manner.”

Speaking days after Labour, Plaid and Lib Dem MPs called for the Silk Commission’s report to be debated not just by the Welsh Grand Committee but on the floor of the Commons, Labour’s Baroness Gale stepped up the pressure.

She said: “[The] recommendations included changes to taxation that would have implications extending beyond Wales and having consequences for the whole of the United Kingdom. Does she agree that Members from all parts of the United Kingdom in both Houses should be able to debate the report in full?”

Baroness Randerson said: “Some of the recommendations could be implemented relatively quickly and without legislation, whereas others would require substantial amendments to the Government of Wales Act or legislation introduced by the Treasury. However, I can say that the Wales Office and the Government are committed to dealing with this with all due speed, but in a timely manner so that we give due and serious consideration to every recommendation.”

Looking ahead to a future when the Assembly has the freedom to borrow, she said: “[We] anticipate the potential of the Welsh Assembly having the right to raise and levy taxes in order to offset those borrowing powers.”

The former acting deputy first minister said that the UK Government would move towards establishing borrowing powers “with all possible speed” and she said it was “completely out of line with the international situation for a legislature to have no powers of this sort.”

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